WEST FRANKFORT -- Vernon Gene Claridy, 76, of West Frankfort, formerly of Anna, died at 7:06 p.m. Monday, March 24, 2014, in Franklin Hospital. He was born June 7, 1937, in Anna, to Elbert and Louise (Lazenby) Clardy. He married Dorotha Aldrich on Feb. 7, 1963, in Anna, and she survives. He was a Denning Township Trustee. was a proud member of IBEW Local 702 and worked as a journeyman lineman for 42 years and for CIPS for 35 years. Vernon served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division. He always put his family first. He was a wonderful grandfather who adored his grandkids with all his heart. Survivors include his wife, Dorotha Claridy of West Frankfort; daughter, Becky (Mark) Jelley of Zeigler; two brothers, Wayne (Jean) Lazenby of Burlington, Wis.; Elbert (Shirley) Clardy of Anna; sister, Sheila (Jim) Whittington of Anna; sister-in-law, Eleanor Clardy of Anna; four grandchildren, Justin Swinkunas, Nicholas Swinkunas and fiancée, Amelia Phemister, Abbey and Gabe Jelley and one great-grandchild, Kaden. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Cindy Claridy; twin sister, Berma Dean Pender and brother, James Clardy. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 28, in Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort, with Pastor Karl Barnfield officiating. Interment will be in Denning Cemetery on the Orient Road. Military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 1961 of Orient, Zeigler Post 177, VFW Post 5764 of West Frankfort, and Marion National Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today, March 27, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Jude. Envelopes will be available and accepted at the funeral home Online condolences of sympathy may be made at www.unionfh.com. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on Mar. 27, 2014